Jan 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka Air Force has rendered its assistance Monday to control a forest fire raging in the Muthurajawela wetlands.

The Air Force said it has deployed a Bell 212 helicopter from the SLAF Ratmalana base was deployed this afternoon to assist in retarding the spread of a forest fire which erupted in the wetland areas of Pubudugama in Muthurajawela.

The helicopter crew of the Bell 212 helicopter equipped with the under-slung 'Bambi buckets' flew 34 consecutive sorties bringing water from a natural tank in Muthurajawela and contained the raging fire close to Pubudugama Village.

The Disaster Management Center has sought the assistance of the Air Force to douse the fire.